Trail Blazers' Evan Turner: Starting job apparently not guaranteed

Updating an earlier report, Turner said that he hasn't been promised that he'll open the upcoming season as the Blazers' starting small forward, Jay Allen of FOX Sports Radio 620 AM reports.

Analysis:

It was believed that Turner signed a four-year, $70 million contract with the Blazers earlier this month with the presumption that he'd be in line for a starting role after previously serving as the Celtics' sixth man, but coach Terry Stotts will apparently wait until training camp before announcing who will start on the wing opposite shooting guard C.J. McCollum. Turner still seems like the leading candidate for that role due to his willingness to distribute and ability to handle the ball, but after the Blazers were able to retain fellow swingman Allen Crabbe by matching his four-year, $75 million offer sheet, a competition for starting duties could ensue. No matter who ends up receiving the starting nod, both Turner and Crabbe should both be in line for 20-plus minutes per game on a Blazers squad lacking in depth on the wings.